Drug Detoxification Process
Starting the holistic detox process at Alternative to Meds Center typically begins with an initial medical evaluation on site.
Initial Medical Evaluation
When entering a holistic detox program, the first step in creating an effective treatment plan is understanding the patient’s unique condition. By assessing their situation, their substance of choice, their associated mental health symptoms, and their current prescription regimen alongside routine testing and a psychiatric evaluation, medical professionals can better understand the patient and create an effective holistic detoxification program.
For example, a patient experiencing a long-term alcohol dependency and taking antidepressants is unique from a patient using heroin and taking anti-anxiety medications – and it is likely their physical, cognitive, and mental health symptoms will differ, as well. An initial evaluation and testing can help plan the beginning stages of their treatment which often involves a stabilization period.
Creating a Stable Environment
Holistic detoxification works best in an environment that contributes to a patient’s success. The environment where holistic detox takes place must be supportive, engaging, and staffed with experts who can effectively manage the withdrawal process.This requires the implementation of a full therapeutic menu of what the client will need before, during, and after the holistic detox process.
The stabilization process may involve improving sleep, nutrition, and pain management if needed, so that the drug withdrawal process is starting from a relatively stable condition. Often, clients may have multiple addictions, including alcohol, that require a coordinated set of steps addressing each of these factors in an orderly and medically safe way.
Holistic Support During Withdrawal from Prescription Medications
Dependence becomes a driver of continuing to use prescription drugs. When the drug is stopped or delayed, withdrawal symptoms emerge. If the drug suppressed original symptoms, these often return if the drug is stopped, and with a vengeance. Holistic prescription drug withdrawal offers the opportunity to not only gently withdraw the drug, using natural methods to soften the withdrawal reactions, but to also lessen and eliminate the original symptoms that led to drug use in the first place. This is the aim of holistic support during prescription drug withdrawal.2
Some common types of prescription medications that can cause severe withdrawal periods include benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, and others. Each class of drug has its own timeline for recovery due to such differences as the drug’s half-life, the age and general health of the client, the dosage, and the length of time it was taken. And, each class of drug will have its own effective methods and protocols during holistic drug withdrawal.36
Common Holistic Detoxification Procedures
Tackling the psychological effects of substance dependency is just as important as treating the physical effects, so effective holistic detox treatments will aim to handle both. Some of the most common methods used in holistic detox programs include:
Medication Tapering and Medical Oversight
A safe medication tapering program with oversight by a trained physician is the safest and most comfortable way to begin medication tapering.
Pain Management
Oftentimes, those taking prescription medications are doing so for pain management. Prescription drug holistic detoxification for those with chronic pain requires the creation of an effective pain management plan that can offer pain relief, and gradually eliminate the need for prescription medication.
Peer Support
Group support can be a very effective way to learn about and use new tools to deal with issues moving forward. Finding others going through the same struggles can create a comforting sense of community during the holistic detox process.
Individual Counseling and Psychotherapy
In addition, individual sessions can provide a safe space for discovering different ways to resolve personal issues. At an appropriate point in their program, One-on-one counseling sessions allow those going through their holistic detox to find the personal reasons for substance use, develop non-drug-based strategies to address mental health conditions and develop more positive life skills that will reinforce success after leaving the program.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment centers help those with addiction issues by giving them a safe and stable environment, access to round-the-clock care, and the independence needed to facilitate the recovery process. This also helps those who face triggering factors in their normal environment so they can avoid situations that could lead to relapse.
Holistic detoxification from prescription medications like SSRIs and pain medication at Alternative to Meds Center is a multi-phased process involving finding root causes for symptoms, addressing them so they are lessened or eliminated, cleansing the body of built-up neurotoxins, and gentle drug withdrawal for full and complete recovery. In a residential facility, these goals can be accomplished without distractions or outside pressures.
